A new study suggests that some of the most vulnerable children in society are more likely to be denied mental health support than their peers.
The research, conducted by the University of Cambridge in collaboration with the National Children’s Bureau, analyzed thousands of records from a large NHS trust in London. It found that children from the most deprived areas were nearly twice as likely to be turned away from mental health services compared to those from more affluent areas.
The study highlights significant disparities in access to the NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Children involved with social services were found to be particularly affected, with those having general social work involvement being more than three times as likely to be rejected from CAMHS, based on an analysis of over 71,000 records.
Despite the alarming findings, the trust involved was not named, as researchers emphasized that the issue is widespread across England and not limited to a single service.
Disparities in Mental Health Support Access
The study revealed that while children who had social work support due to current concerns and those under child protection plans faced higher rejection rates, children in care were less likely to be turned away from mental health services.
Experts advised researchers that CAMHS often requires children to be in a “stable place” before they can receive therapeutic support. However, the report warns that such criteria could leave vulnerable children without the help they need, particularly those in unstable family situations.
“It is unjust to exclude children from mental health support if their family situation never becomes stable,” the authors of the report stated, adding that such requirements could create “inequities in access” for these young people.
Call for Action Against Systematic Biases
Professor Robbie Duschinsky, from the University of Cambridge, described the findings as “sad and surprising” to many, though perhaps not unexpected to families who have struggled to access the services.
“Our research was prompted by discussions with people with lived experiences who urged us to investigate inequalities in access to mental health services for vulnerable children,” Duschinsky said. “Their concerns have been validated by the results of this report.”
Anna Feuchtwang, Chief Executive of the National Children’s Bureau, echoed these concerns, stating that some children may “never get the support they need” within the current system. She called on the government to urgently address the “systemic biases” that discriminate against particularly vulnerable children.
Both the government and NHS England have been approached for comment on the findings of the study.
The report concludes with a stark warning: without significant changes to the system, many children in need will continue to fall through the cracks of mental health support services.
